Last updated: November 3, 2025 | Reviewed by Paul Thorne
Looking for a flexible way to invest in your future? The Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) lets you withdraw from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to pay for full-time or part-time education or training (conditions apply) for yourself, your spouse, or common-law partner. You won’t pay tax on the withdrawal if you follow the repayment rules. It’s a flexible way to upgrade your skills, while accessing your savings tax-efficiently.
What's the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP)?
The LLP allows you to withdraw money from your RRSPs to finance post-secondary education or training programs for yourself, your spouse, or your common-law partner. You can withdraw up to $10,000 in a calendar year, up to a total of $20,000 over a four-year period, while deferring tax on the withdrawal if you meet all the eligibility criteria and repayment guidelines.
The LLP is designed to help you or your spouse or common-law partner pursue new qualifications or upgrade skills without increasing your taxes (when you follow repayment guidelines) and minimizing new debt.
Keep in mind, the LLP can’t be used to pay for a child’s education, a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) can help cover those costs.
Benefits of the LLP
Tax advantage
No tax on withdrawals if you meet eligibility rules and repay on time.
Flexible use
Pay for qualifying educational programs for you and/or your spouse or common-law partner.
Join again later
Reapply again after you fully pay back your previous LLP balance.
Helpful numbers and key facts
Maximum withdrawal per year
$10,000
Maximum lifetime withdrawal total
$20,000
Who’s education you can fund
Yourself, spouse, and/or common-law partner
Repayment starts: It depends on when you made your first withdrawal and when you’re no longer a qualified student. See Government of Canada’s When to start repaying your LLP withdrawals chart for more detail.
Repayment period: Maximum of 10 years
Repayment amount: An annual amount of at least 10% of the total amount you withdrew
LLP eligibility requirements
Before you can use the Lifelong Learning Plan, you’ll need to meet a few eligibility rules.
Who qualifies?
You can participate in an LLP if you’re:
- a Canadian resident,
- able to open an RRSP and your contributions in the RRSP have been in the RRSP for 90+ days when you make a withdrawal,
- under 71 years old on December 31 of the year you make the withdrawal
- enrolled, or have a written offer that you will be enrolled, in a qualifying program before March of the year after you withdrew funds
What programs qualify?
You can use the LLP for a program if it:
- is a qualifying education program
- lasts at least three consecutive months
- requires you to spend 10+ hours per week on courses, or work in the program such as lectures, practical training, and lab work (doesn’t include study time)
- is a part-time program that meets certain criteria for persons living with a disability
Learn more about qualifying educational programs for the LLP. Visit Canada.ca's "Participating in the LLP" webpage.
How to apply for the LLP?
To start using the Lifelong Learning Plan:
- Check eligibility: Confirm you meet the LLP eligibility rules and your program qualifies.
- Fill out all the necessary information in Part 1 of Form RC96: This form is called “Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) Request to Withdraw Funds from an RRSP.”
Download Form RC96
- Submit to your RRSP provider: Give the completed form to your RRSP provider.
- Withdraw funds: Up to $10,000 per year, $20,000 total.
- Pay for your program: Tuition, books, and other costs.
Remember: You must repay any amount you owe before you can participate in the LLP again.
Upgrade your skills, keep your savings working
A Sun Life advisor can help you explore all the ways to fund your education. Whether that’s opening an RRSP, navigating the LLP, or reviewing other options that fit your needs.
How to apply for the LLP?
When you have an RRSP with Sun Life, your advisor can help you see the full picture: from planning your education funding to keeping it aligned with your life goals.
Plan your approach
Review your Sun Life accounts with an advisor to see how the LLP could work towards your education goals.
Guidance on timing and repayment
Discuss when and how you might use the LLP, and how repayment could look like for your situation.
Fit into your bigger goals
Explore how education funding integrates with your savings and overall plan.
How do LLP repayments work?
You have up to 10 years to repay the total amount you withdrew from your RRSP under the Lifelong Learning Plan. Each year, you must repay at least 10% of the total you withdrew until the balance is paid in full.
LLP repayments are interest-free, simply contribute to your RRSP each year to pay back what you borrowed.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will send you an LLP Statement of Account each year with your Notice of Assessment. You can access this online through your CRA Account. This statement will show:
- The total LLP amount you withdrew,
- Income inclusions
- How much you’ve repaid so far,
- How much you still owe, and
- The minimum amount you must repay the next year.
Think of the LLP as an interest-free loan from your RRSP. You can borrow money, provided you pay it back within a specific timeframe.
When to repay the LLP
When you repay the LLP depends on two key factors:
- When you made your first withdrawal and
- When you’re no longer considered a qualifying student
Then, when you need to repay depends on the earlier of:
- 5 years after first withdrawal, or
- the second year after you’re no longer a qualifying student
Keep in mind that your repayment period may vary depending on your specific circumstances. See Government of Canada’s When to start repaying your LLP withdrawals chart for more detail.
You withdrew the $10,000 from your RRSP under the LLP in January 2030, just before starting a two-year program. You completed the two-year program successfully in 2032.
Year of first withdrawal: 2030
Total withdrawal amount: $10,000
Last year you’re considered a qualifying student: 2032
When to repay?
Whichever is earliest:
- 2 years after the last year you’re considered a qualifying student: 2034 (2032 + 2 years) or
- 5 years after your first LLP withdrawal: 2035 (2030 + 5 years)
Based on these rules, repayment starts in 2034.
Minimum repayment amount per year: $1,000 (10% of the total withdrawal amount of $10,000)
Repayment deadline: 2043 (2034 first repayment year + 10 years maximum to repay)
Note: the repayment deadline is the tax year. This means you could repay the 2043 tax year within the first 60 days of 2044 and claim it on the 2043 tax return.
You withdrew $8,000 from your RRSP under the LLP in January 2030, just before starting a three-year diploma program. You withdrew another $2,000 in your second year to pay for additional tuition costs. You completed the three-year diploma program successfully in 2033.
Year of first withdrawal: 2030
Total withdrawal amount: $10,000 ($8,000 + $2,000)
Last year you’re considered a qualifying student: 2033
When to repay?
Whichever is earliest:
- 2 years after the last year you’re considered qualifying student: 2035 (2033 + 2 years) or
- 5 years after your first LLP withdrawal: 2035 (2030 + 5 years)
Based on these rules, repayment starts in 2035.
Minimum repayment amount per year: $1,000 (10% of total withdrawal amount of $10,000)
Repayment deadline: 2044 (2035 first repayment year + 10 years maximum to repay)
Note: the repayment deadline is the tax year. This means you could repay the 2044 tax year within the first 60 days of 2045 and claim it on the 2044 tax return.
You withdrew $10,000 from your RRSP under the LLP in January 2030 to start a three-year program. You decided to space the studies out and take one semester each year. The three-year program ended up taking you six years to complete. You complete your program at the end of 2036.
Year of first withdrawal: 2030
Total withdrawal amount: $10,000
Last year you’re considered a qualifying student: 2036
When to repay?
Whichever is earliest:
- 2 years after you’re considered a qualifying student: 2038 (2036 + 2 years) or
- 5 years after your first LLP withdrawal: 2035 (2030 + 5 years)
Based on these rules, repayment starts in 2035.
Minimum repayment amount per year: $1,000 (10% of total withdrawal amount of $10,000)
Repayment deadline: 2045 (2035 first repayment year + 10 years maximum to repay)
Note: the repayment deadline is the tax year. This means you could repay the 2045 tax year within the first 60 days of 2046 and claim it on the 2045 tax return.
Frequently asked questions
The LLP isn’t your only option. Here are few others to consider:
- Regular RRSP withdrawal: You can take money out of your RRSP anytime, but you’ll pay taxes on what you withdraw, and tax will be withheld from the amount you take out. If your income is low while studying, you may pay little to no tax. Unlike the LLP, there’s no requirement to repay. Keep in mind you won’t be able to recontribute that amount to your RRSP and your RRSP savings are reduced.
- Use your Tax-free Savings Account (TFSA): Withdraw money tax-free and get your contribution room back the following year. No repayment rules apply.
- Open a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for yourself: If you plan to study in the future, you can open an RESP in your own name.
A Sun Life advisor can help you compare these options and choose what works best for your goals.
No. You can’t use the Lifelong Learning Plan to finance your children’s education. If you’re looking to save money for your child’s future education, you can consider opening a registered education savings plan (RESP).
You could also use your existing TFSA as an education fund for your child.
If you leave your program early, and you were not considered a qualifying student for at least three months in the year, your repayment will begin the next year. The CRA will send you a LLP Statement of Account with your notice of assessment at the end of the year. The statement will tell you what to repay and when.
If you miss repaying the required installment in any year, the amount that you did not repay will be added to your income for tax purposes and you’ll have to pay taxes on the missed installment.
Expand how you fund your education
RRSP – Save for retirement and education
Build long-term savings you can also use for the LLP.
TFSA – Flexible, tax-free withdrawals
Save for any goal and withdraw tax-free when needed.
More resources
Use your RRSP for more than retirement
Investing in an RRSP is a great way to save for retirement and cut your tax bill. But, what else can you do with it?
Want to withdraw from your RRSP early?
There are a few reasons you may want to cash out the funds before you leave the workforce.
Opening your first RRSP
Looking to reduce your tax bill and save money for the future? A registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) can help make it happen.
This information is meant for educational and illustrative purposes only. Some conditions, exclusions and restrictions apply.
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